Thanks to you we’ve grown from 300 to 3,500 subscribers (and counting) in two and a half years. But we know there are more people who crave a regular source for green news.

No, not every religious organization thinks climate change is a hoax. And, thankfully, some of them have banded together to do something about it. Indiana Green Congregations is an interfaith group that strives to take better care of the planet and its inhabitants. This year’s Green Congregations workshop, titled Tools and Inspiration for Your Green Ministry, is designed to help people start or strengthen a green ministry in their house of worship.

Taking place June 5 at Christian Theological Seminary (1000 W. 42nd St.), the workshop will feature keynote speaker Scott Russell Sanders, the Bloomington-based author of “A Conservationist Manifesto,” and Goshen College’s Luke Gascho, who chairs Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light. The daylong event kicks off at 8:30 a.m. with registration and an information fair.

Whether your congregation wants to host its own farmers market or simply find a way to recycle all of those leftover church bulletins, this is a great place to start.

That said, we realize that Indy’s public transportation system still has a long way to go before it becomes a convenient option for every Central Indiana resident. That’s why we’re grateful that the Indy Connect transportation initiative is underway to begin planning for improvements that will make commuter and light rail a reality, enhance our current bus service, and create more bike- and pedestrian-friendly walkways.

If you question just how bikeable Indy can be, join indycog for Pedal Indy on May 15.

We look forward to a day when the trains we hear running from Fishers to Indy have nothing to do with the Indiana State Fair.

This summer, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis will attempt to build the state’s first low-income home to bear the prestigious LEED Platinum moniker. LEED Platinum certification is the highest designation a home or building can receive from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design program. From Energy Star appliances and a tankless water heater to a solar powered attic fan, CFLs, and native plants galore, this place will truly be green from the ground up.

Construction on the 1,350-square foot home, located near downtown in the historic Cottage Home neighborhood, is scheduled to begin on July 21, and a dedication ceremony will be held on September 3…but not without your help. Habitat is currently about $20,000 short of its fundraising goal. When we heard about the organization’s green initiatives and the Pye family (the home’s future owners), we couldn’t help but lend our support. Giving is easy through our secure PayPal link. Or, if you’re more of the hands-on type, consider rounding up a group of friends, colleagues, or classmates to volunteer at the building site. You can also donate items to be used in the house, or drop off gently used home and building supplies at the Habitat ReStore.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, friends. Then again, Rome didn’t have your Brangelina-like sense of compassion and generosity on its side. With your help, we can create a greener environment for one Indianapolis family - and the planet.

Thanks to the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee, we now have a winning strategy. The 1st and Green household challenge encourages fans and non-fans alike to reduce carbon emissions and save water through simple actions like carpooling, taking shorter showers, and turning off the water when brushing your teeth. Though the challenge officially ends when Super Bowl 2012 begins, we hope you’ll incorporate eco-friendly habits well beyond the postgame celebration. The host committee also plans to incorporate several eco-friendly practices that will make Super Bowl 2012 even greener, including multi-source recycling, food rescue, using biodegradable or compostable disposable plates, utensils, and napkins; and opting for electronic communication instead of printed materials when appropriate.

The Super Bowl may be a celebration of all things big (big crowds, big plays, big money spent on commercials), but with your help, we can make its environmental impact a little smaller. Besides, the only thing better than a victory for the home team is a victory for the home team AND the planet!

Myth: Only homeless people ride the bus.
Truth: People from all walks of life - rich and poor, young and old, black, white and Latino - ride the bus. Our favorite reasons to ride are concern for the environment and it’s a relaxing way to commute. Those who take the bus often use the downtime to read, listen to their Mp3 player, or text with friends. Now doesn’t that sound better than navigating snowy conditions or battling road rage?

Myth: Riding the bus doesn’t really save money.
Truth: It does, and it also reduces pollution since it gets your car off the road. A one-way pass is only $1.75 (or $0.85 for seniors and kids). When you factor in the cost of wear and tear on your car, plus parking for downtown commuters, it’s easy to see why riding the bus is a more budget-friendly choice. Even better: Riding the IndyGo Green Line from the Indianapolis International Airport to downtown is just $7…way cheaper than a cab ride.

Myth: Planning a bus trip is about as complicated as doing one’s own taxes.
Truth: Let IndyGo’s Trip Planner help you plot your next destination, whether it’s the Children’s Museum, Conseco Fieldhouse, Eagle Creek Park, your place of employment, or a combination of these. The Trip Planner serves as a GPS of sorts, telling you at exactly what time to walk to the bus stop, what time to board, and so on.

Traffic driving you crazy? Get on the bus, Gus. Forward this GPI to at least three friends and we’ll randomly select a winner to receive an IndyGo Day Pass.

Reason #1: Even in a city known for its pork tenderloin sandwich consumption, anyone can become a lean green machine.
Learn to lower your carbon footprint, reduce energy bills, and reduce your impact on the planet at an upcoming Living Lean & Green workshop. Upcoming five-week workshops begin Feb. 18 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church (4600 N. Illinois St.) and March 10 at Christian Theological Seminary (1000 W. 42nd St.).

Reason #2: The housing market may have gone bust, but green building in Indy is booming.
LEED, follow, or get out of the way at the Indiana Building Green symposium, taking place March 10-11 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Early bird registration ends Feb. 28.

Reason #3: People are movin’ downtown and participation in recycling is movin’ on up.
More people living and working downtown simultaneously means less CO2 generated during commutes. Public recycling bins in Broad Ripple, on Mass Ave, and in the Mile Square mean more opportunities to do your part. Special electronics recycling events like those taking place this month at Simon Malls means more convenient ways to responsibly dispose of TVs, VCRs, computers, and more.

Speaking of convenient ways to recycled your electronics, Rush Hour Recycling, our award-winning recycling program gets back into gear starting March 5. Stay tuned for details.

Now it’s time to hop on the scales and calculate your current carbon footprint. (We promise it will be substantially less annoying than hopping on a real scale). While there are many reliable carbon footprint calculators available online these days, we find The Ecological Footprint Quiz from the Center For Sustainable Economy to be among the simplest to use. You can also read about the other types of ecological impacts this site’s calculator measures.

No matter your BMI or LDL, this is one measurement we can all stand to reduce.